Truss.



No. 767,718. 7 PATENTED AUG. 16,1904. J. M. SIMMONS.

TRUSS.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 31, 1904.

N0 Monti.

2] H uanfoz witness MWI;J $5M UNITED STATES Patented August 16, 1904.

PATENT OFFICE.

TRUSS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 767,718, dated August 16, 1904.

Application filed March 31, 1904.

T0 ctZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN M. SIMMONS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Thomas ville, in the county of Thomas and State of Georgia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements. in Trusses, of which the following is a specification.

This invention provides an appliance for relieving and efiecting a cure of inguinal hernia and which will admit of the wearer having free movement in every direction without causing pain or inconvenience, the contrivance being of such formation as to yield to the various movements of the body without becoming displaced or concentrating the strain upon any one point except as provided for by the pads, the one covering the hernia and the other obtaining a purchase upon the back in the well-known manner.

The invention provides a truss of exceeding lightness, simplicity of structure, and capable of being readily accessible in every part to admit of thorough cleaning, which is essential from a hygienic standpoint.

For a full description of the invention and the merits thereof and also to acquire a knowledge of the details of construction of the means for effecting the result reference is to be had to the following description and drawings hereto attached.

While the essential and characteristic features of the invention are susceptible of modification, still the preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1' is a perspective view of a truss embodying the invention. Fig. 2 is a detail view of the rear end of the body-band, showing the pad in section. Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 of the front portion of the bodyband and the front or hernia pad. I

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the following description and indicated in all the views of the drawings by the same reference characters. I

The truss comprises similar parts, both of which are to be worn in the event of hernia upon each side of the body. If one side only is ruptured, it is onlynecessary to employ one part of the truss. The parts are of similar Serial No. 201,013. (No model.)

construction, each consisting of a body-band 1, preferably of wire, which is curved to fit snugly around one side of the body, the end portions of the body-band curving downward to admit of the front portion conforming to and extending in front of the pubic bone and the back portion to approximate the curvature of the rump or buttock. Each end of the body-band is provided with a pad, the same being loosely connected thereto, so as to equalize the pressure, and thereby obviate any annoyance or inconvenience, such as would be experienced if the pads were rigidly connected to the body-band. The body-band is of spring metal and may be bare or covered, as desired, and its rear portion inclines inward, so as to cause the back pad 2 to properly bear upon the body. The front portion of the body-band curves slightly inward and downward to admit of the front pad 3 coming about opposite to the rupture, so as to exert a pressure upon the hernia and retain the parts in place.

The back pad 2 may be of any construction and, as shown, is plano-concave, the concave side facing inward, so as to come in contact with the body and conform approximately thereto and prevent annoying pressure. The pad 2 is formed with a vertical opening to receive the rear downwardly-turned end of the body-band and is adapted to turn thereon and is held in place by means of the bur or nut 4:.

- The front pad 3 is oblong and plano-convex and is connected to the front end of the body-band in a manner to move in all directions. The frontportion of the body-band is bent downward, as shown at 5, and inward, as shown at 6, and receives a bur or nut 7. The outer or rear side of the pad 3 is formed with a depression to receive the bur or nut 7, and a plate 8 covers said depression and extends in front of the bur or nut '7 and holds the pad in place, said plate being secured to the pad by screws or like fastenings.

When both parts of the truss are to be worn, they are connected by straps about as shown. A strap 9 is attached at one end to the rear portion of the body-band adjacent to the pad 2 and is adapted to be adjustably connected to a buckle-10, correspondingly applied to the rear portion of the opposite body-band. The front ends of the body-bands are connected in a similar manner by means of the strap 11 and buckle 12, each being applied to the bent portions 5 of the respective parts 1. The pads 2 and 3 may be of wood, rubber, or such material as commonly employed in the formation of articles of this character.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is 1. A truss comprising similar parts, each consisting of a curved spring body-band having its end portions bent downwardly at a right angle to the plane thereof, one extremity of each part aforesaid being bent inwardly, a bur fitted to said extremity, a pad carried by the extremity aforesaid and provided upon its rear side with a depression receiving said bur, and a plate secured upon the rear side of the pad and in front of the bur aforesaid to hold the pad in place.

2. A truss comprising similar parts, said parts consisting of longitudinally curved tion, and straps connecting the complemental parts of the truss and securing the downwardly-bent end portions of the body-bands together.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of tWo Witnesses.

JOHN M. SIMMONS. [L. s] Witnesses:

M. A. FLEErWooD, J. T. CULPEPPER. 

